Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
The first baby born at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge was to Farida Badakhsk and Safiullah Safa of Alexandria.
The couple welcomed a baby girl Artina Noora Safa at 4:02 a.m. January 1, 2023. She weighed seven pounds, 10 ounces.
UVA Prince William Medical Center
UVA Prince William Medical Center announced the first baby born at the Hylton Family Women’s and Children’s Center in 2023.
Hazel Frances Alley was born to Robert and Chelsea Alley at 1:09 PM, January 1, 2023. Hazel was delivered by Dr. Josephs and weighed six pounds and 15 ounces, and measured 19.29 centimeters long.
Hazel will join their sibling Benjamin and reside in Centerville.
Stafford Hospital
Stafford Hospital welcomed the first baby of the new year born in the Fredericksburg region.
Baby girl Nevelyn Noelle was born at 1:38 a.m. to Allison and Jared of Dumfries, weighing six pounds 15 ounces.
Mary Washington Hospital
Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg welcomed its first baby at 6:36 p.m. Baby Violet Daniela was born to Daniela and Axcel of Fredericksburg, weighing five pounds three ounces. A New Year’s surprise, Violet was born an entire month early.
Mary Washington Hospital Auxiliary will hold a Tree of Lights Ceremony.
After two years of virtual celebrations, we are pleased to announce an outdoor gathering for the annual tree lighting. You can recognize a loved one by sponsoring a light on the tree this holiday season. Proceeds from the Annual Tree of Lights benefit programs and services within Mary Washington Healthcare’s Regional Cancer Center.
All donors are invited to participate in this year’s celebration.
If you would like to sponsor a light for the tree to recognize a loved one, please complete the donation form and return it to the MWH Auxiliary, along with a minimum contribution of $20 per light.
The names of those you wish to recognize will be recorded in the Annual Tree of Lights memory and honor books and displayed at the entrance to MWH Auxiliary’s Meditation Garden.
To ensure the name(s) you are recognizing are recorded in the Tree of Lights memory and honor books prior to the tree lighting, please have your contribution made by Friday, December 2, 2022.
For more information about MWH Auxiliary’s Tree of Life and to download the donation form, visit treeoflights.mwhc.com.
All donors are invited to the tree lighting celebration on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. The celebration will occur at Mary Washington Hospital, 1001 Sam Perry Blvd., Fredericksburg.
The tree is in front of the hospital, in the grassy area near the drop-off and pick-up loop.
Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) and Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) are seeing signs that the flu season may be worse than in recent years. More people are seeking care in emergency rooms and urgent care centers for influenza-like illness. RAHD has seen multiple outbreaks of confirmed and suspected influenza in schools and other settings across the district. Both MWHC and RAHD are urging residents to follow precautions to slow the spread of influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
“We have already seen large flu outbreaks locally, which is unusual this early in November,” said Olugbenga Obasanjo, MD, Health Director at RAHD. “The actions we were taking to protect against COVID-19 for the past two years also protected against the flu. Because of the low spread of flu for the last two years, people do not have the immunity built up to provide protection against the influenza virus, which is part of the reason we are already seeing increased flu activity this year.”
Stephen Mandell, MD, Vice President, Senior Medical Director, Mary Washington Hospital says, “As we have emerged from the pandemic, many of the practices of masking and social distancing particularly when one is symptomatic have ceased. Delays in receiving the flu vaccine, given the focus on COVID vaccination, has likely increased the community’s vulnerability to these respiratory viruses. Thus, getting vaccinated and exercising practical precautions if respiratory symptoms develop, such as masking and avoiding crowds, are wise steps for everyone’s benefit.”
MWHC and RAHD encourage everyone six months and older to get a flu vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common this year. While healthcare providers and public health professionals have been encouraging flu shots early, receiving the vaccine now is still beneficial and should protect one through the flu season.
“If you have not already received your flu shot this year, now is the best time to get it,” said Dr. Obasanjo.
Practicing healthy habits such as social distancing, masking in high-risk areas, and frequently washing your hands, reduce the chance of infection of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is also circulating in the community along with significantly high rates of Influenza A. RSV is common and usually causes mild to moderate symptoms in most people, but it can be very dangerous for infants or those who are immunocompromised. In the last 30 days, patient visits to MWHC Urgent Care centers have increased, with an average of 72 patients per day, 70 percent of which are respiratory related.
Vaccinations for the flu and COVID-19 are widely available in pharmacies, primary care providers, and health departments throughout Virginia. To learn more and to get help finding vaccines, contact the Call Center at 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1)
Mary Washington Healthcare will donate $100,000 to help students stay active and healthy.
Mary Washington University (no relation) will use the funds for its Campus Recreation (CREC) over the next five years.
“Mary Washington Healthcare exists to improve the health of all people in the region,” said MWHC Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Eric Fletcher. “Part of that commitment is to promote wellness, so partnering with UMW in these efforts is a natural connection. We hope our sponsorship helps students, faculty, and staff stay healthy and enjoy life to the fullest.”
A portion of the funds will go toward campus events encouraging wellness, exercises and outdoor activities, like last week’s Big Ash Bonfire, Campout with Residence Life, and November’s Largest Gratitude Meditation.
Campus Recreation Kelly Shannon said the sponsorship would mainly help expand operating hours for the fitness center.
More than 70% of the student body takes group classes, works out, or participates in other activities such as intramural or club sports, she said.
“MWHC’s sponsorship is helping us better serve our mission of promoting student success, learning, and personal wellness,” said Shannon.
Mary Washington Healthcare operates Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, across from the University, and Stafford Hospital in Stafford County.
About 4,000 undergraduate students attend classes at the University of Mary Washington. A little over half live in one of 14 dorms on campus.
